Eastern Arborvitae: Emerald, Techny, Degroots Spire, North Pole
Thuja occidentalis
Eastern Arborvitae: Emerald, Techny, Degroots Spire, North Pole (Thuja occidentalis) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 12–30 ft tall and 4–8 ft wide, needs medium to high water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Needs protected area; susceptible to winter burn.
medium to high water12–30 ft tall and 4–8 ft wideDeer-resistant
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At a glance
- Rating
- Recommended for Most Sites
- Botanical name
- Thuja occidentalis
- Variety / cultivar
- Eastern Arborvitae: Emerald, Techny, Degroots Spire, North Pole
- Type
- Tree
- Mature size
- 12–30 ft tall and 4–8 ft wide
- Mature form
- Pyramidal
- Spacing / clearance
- ~8 ft of clearance
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 2–8
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Lifespan
- Long-lived
- Water needs
- medium to high water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- clay, loam
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Pollinator value
- low
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Cold HardinessThe average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- Watch: Leaf ScorchIts leaf edges brown in hot, dry wind, so give it steady summer water and some shelter from the worst afternoon blast.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
Frequently asked questions
- Is Eastern Arborvitae: Emerald, Techny, Degroots Spire, North Pole good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Eastern Arborvitae: Emerald, Techny, Degroots Spire, North Pole is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Eastern Arborvitae: Emerald, Techny, Degroots Spire, North Pole get?
- It matures to about 12–30 ft tall and 4–8 ft wide.
- How much room does Eastern Arborvitae: Emerald, Techny, Degroots Spire, North Pole need?
- Give Eastern Arborvitae: Emerald, Techny, Degroots Spire, North Pole about 8 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Eastern Arborvitae: Emerald, Techny, Degroots Spire, North Pole grow into?
- Eastern Arborvitae: Emerald, Techny, Degroots Spire, North Pole typically grows into a pyramidal, conical outline that is widest at the base. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Eastern Arborvitae: Emerald, Techny, Degroots Spire, North Pole hardy on the Front Range?
- Eastern Arborvitae: Emerald, Techny, Degroots Spire, North Pole is hardy in USDA 2–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range. That said, it carries a cold-hardiness caution: The average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- How much water does Eastern Arborvitae: Emerald, Techny, Degroots Spire, North Pole need?
- It needs medium to high water once established.
- How fast does Eastern Arborvitae: Emerald, Techny, Degroots Spire, North Pole grow?
- Eastern Arborvitae: Emerald, Techny, Degroots Spire, North Pole is a moderate-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Eastern Arborvitae: Emerald, Techny, Degroots Spire, North Pole live?
- Eastern Arborvitae: Emerald, Techny, Degroots Spire, North Pole is long-lived, a multi-generational tree given good siting and care. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- Is Eastern Arborvitae: Emerald, Techny, Degroots Spire, North Pole native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Eastern Arborvitae: Emerald, Techny, Degroots Spire, North Pole deer-resistant?
- Eastern Arborvitae: Emerald, Techny, Degroots Spire, North Pole is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
